A large Jeju Island cafe, famous as a celebrity cafe, is accused of illegally using about 1,800 pyeong of state land, and the cafe's CEO drew a line on ties with Koyote member Baekga.
On the 7th, the Jeju large cafe CEO A told OSEN, "I have absolutely no connection with Mr. Baekga. There are parts that are repeatedly linked and become overblown. I will be cautious but will tell you accurately. First, the police investigation will probably come first," he said.
The controversy began with a KBS report on the 6th. KBS news reported that about three years ago a cafe in Seogwipo, Jeju, that became famous by word of mouth as being run by a celebrity was found in an investigation to have illegally repurposed about 6,000 square meters (roughly 1,800 pyeong) of forest land.
The cafe is a large establishment of about 5,000 pyeong located in a spot in Seogwipo, Jeju, known for its extensive grounds that include a pleasant walking trail. In addition to walks, it has landscaping that uses swings and lawns and a large parking lot for visitors' convenience, earning praise from travelers.
Seogwipo City has requested an investigation by the autonomous police into the mountain land damage. KBS reported that the cafe CEO explained, "We belatedly learned that parts corresponded to illegal mountain land repurposing and tried to improve them, but we couldn't due to financial conditions." The celebrity B, who was a co-CEO, explained, "The contract ended in April this year, so I am not currently in charge of running the cafe. At the time the cafe was developed, I only handled some interior work and did not know about the land," the report said.
Regarding this, A told OSEN, "I am sorry and apologize that I cannot speak in detail," while cautiously emphasizing, "Although the alteration of the land's shape is our fault and it feels unfair, the police investigation will probably come first."
Above all, he drew a line on Baekga being mentioned as a famous celebrity co-CEO, saying, "Currently there is no connection with Mr. Baekga. I confirm this again accurately."
Baekga is a member of the long-running mixed group Koyote alongside Kim Jong-min and Shin Ji. He has been active as a photographer and drew attention for succeeding in various business items from a fashion edit shop to cacti. He was also registered as an interior business operator.
Since 2022 through earlier this year, he attracted attention on radio by traveling to and from Jeju over the possibility of founding the large cafe himself. However, A took charge of the cafe's overall operation, and Baekga is said to have only contracted for space interior work, applying his sensibilities as a singer and photographer. In response, Koyote also only notified that the contract between A and Baekga had expired and did not issue a separate statement.
Seogwipo City plans to order restoration of the illegally used land to its original state for the cafe based on its own police investigation results. <
[Photo] OSEN DB.
[OSEN]